Propofol maintains Th17/Treg cell balance in elderly patients undergoing lung cancer surgery through GABAA receptor

Propofol is widely used in clinical anesthesia due to its advantages of rapid onset and less adverse reactions. This study focused on the role of propofol in the balance of Th17/Treg in elderly patients with lung cancer during perioperative period. Patients undergoing lung cancer surgery were anesthetized by propofol or sevoflurane. Veinal blood was collected at different time points to evaluate the changes of Th17/Treg cell. Propofol better maintained the balance of Th17/Treg in vivo. The peripheral blood of patients with lung cancer was collected in vitro before surgery. Cluster of differentiation (CD)4(+) T cells were obtained and then treated with propofol at different concentrations and γ-aminobutyric acid A (GABAA) receptor antagonists. Propofol affected Th17/Treg cell balance by increasing Th17 cells, decreasing Treg cells, thus elevating Th17/Treg ratio, and inhibited invasion and migration of lung cancer cells through GABAA receptor, which was counteracted by GABAA receptor inhibitors. Subsequently, tumor in situ model of lung cancer in aged mice was established. Propofol anesthetized mice had lower change of Th17/Treg ratio, higher survival rate and less metastasis. In brief, propofol regulated balance of Th17/Treg in elderly patients undergoing lung cancer surgery through GABAA receptor. Additionally, propofol could inhibit metastasis of lung cancer. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12865-022-00490-8.